Explore The Hidden Kingdom Of Bhutan

On your arrival at Paro, the only International Airport in Bhutan, our guide and driver will receive and escort you to visit the National Museum housed in the 17th-century watchtower called Ta Dzong. The Museum displays a snapshot of Bhutan's history & rich cultural heritage. From there we drive to Thimphu. Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan and home to approximately 115,000 residents. This bustling little city is the main centre of commerce, religion and government in the country. It is the only capital city in the world without traffic lights. Note: The coverage of excursion on the first day depends on your flight arrival time. If you arrive in the morning, you should be able to visit all of the sites listed below. If it is in the afternoon, we might be able to visit one or two only. On arrival in Thimphu, visit the National Memorial Chorten, the most frequented religious site and obviously an important landmark in Thimphu. The National Memorial Choeten is a Buddhist Stupa built in 1974 in memory of the Late Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who passed away in 1972. People from all walks of life come here to pray and circumambulate offering you a good opportunity to observe how Bhutanese people devote themselves to daily prayers and take refuge in the teachings of the Lord Buddha. Buddha Dordhenma Statue – Buddha Point at Kuensel Phodrang: The magnificent 169 feet tall bronze statue of Lord Buddha is located on a hilltop overlooking the Thimphu valley. It was built to celebrate the 60th birth anniversary of the Fourth King His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck and also for the purpose of bringing peace in the world .  Leisure time in Thimphu town. Distance: 55km, Time: 1.5-Hours, Thimphu Altitude: 2,334m/7,655ft, Paro Altitude: 2,195m/7,200ft. Dinner and overnight in Thimphu at Amodhara / City Hotel / Bhutan Suites. (Lunch, Dinner)

Today, after early breakfast, we will do a 2-3-hour return hike to Tango Monastery and then after lunch transfer to Punakha valley via the sacred mountain pass, Dochula. Located on the mountainside north of Thimphu, Tango Monastery was founded in 1222 by the Tibetan saint Phajo Drugom Zhigpo, who first established the Drukpa Kagyu School of Buddhism in Bhutan and subsequently became the state religion of Bhutan. The round-trip hike through the pristine forests takes about 3-hour. After the hike, a traditional lunch will be served at the Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant. After lunch, visit the National Institute of Zorig Chusum where the 13 traditional arts & crafts of Bhutan is taught. Arts & Crafts are an essential part of Bhutan’s cultural heritage that has been practiced since time immemorial. Just located nearby is the National Library & Archives of Bhutan considered as the national treasure and is fundamental source of history, medicine, arts & culture. Both Institute of Zorg Chusum and National Library opens during weekdays and on Saturdays from 10am-12pm. We then drive to Punakha valley via Dochula, a sacred mountain pass at an altitude of 3150m above the sea level. On a clear day, you can see panoramic view of the eastern Himalayan mountain range including some of Bhutan’s highest peaks. Continue driving to Punakha passing through some villages, the elevation drops gradually and the road winds through the pine trees. As you reach the lower valley, you will feel the drastic change in altitude from 3,150m just an hour and a half ago to warm subtropical valley at 1,200m. At 11km before reaching Punakha town, visit the famous 15th century Chimi Lhakhang popularly known as the “Temple of Fertility” and explore the nearby village where houses are adorned with colourful paintings of phalluses. Distance from Thimphu to Punakha 74 km, Time 2.5-hours, Punakha Altitude 1,200m Overnight at Meri Puensum Resort or Hotel Lobesa. You can also opt to stay at a farmhouse with the local family to experiences the daily life of a ordinary Bhutanese family in rural Bhutan.

Today, before we drive to Phobjjkha valley, you will do a wonderful hike to Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten, a Buddhist temple located on a serene hilltop overlooking the Punakha valley and visit the historic Punakha Dzong. Located on a mountain ridge overlooking the picturesque Punakha valley, this wonderful Buddhist structure is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture used in building temples and monasteries. The round-trip hike takes about 3-hours through the terraced rice fields and a short gentle uphill hike through the pine trees. If your group size is more than 3 people, a picnic lunch can be arranged by the bank of Mochu river on the way back to Punakha town. Then visit the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, the 17th century Punakha Dzong. You’ll spend some time appreciating the sacred wall paintings and main artifacts inside the dzong, the intricate wood works and the architectural structure of the dzong displays a fine example of Bhutanese arts and craftsmanship which continues to influence Bhutanese architecture even today. From there walk to Bhutan's longest suspension bridge that runs over glacial-fed Phochu (male) river and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Punakha Dzong is flanked by two glacial-fed rivers - Phochu (male) and Mochu (female) rivers. After that transfer to Phobjikha valley in Gangtey. Phobjikha is a vast U-shaped glacial valley at an elevation of about 3,000m/9,840ft and it is a winter home for endangered Black Necked Crane from November to March and migrates back to Tibetan Plateau by the beginning of spring season. As part of the conservation effort, Phobjikha valley has been declared as a protected area and an important biodiversity hotspot. Distance from Punakha to Phobjikha Valley 80 km, Time 3-hours, Phobjikha Altitude 3,000m Overnight at Yueloki Guest House or Dewachen Hotel & Spa.